The Federal Government is consulting on new NDIS planning Rules that will significantly change how plans are created, how budgets are set, and how decisions are made.
The changes include:
- A support needs assessment (an assessment done by an NDIA employee)
- New ways of setting budgets
- Changes to how decisions are made and explained
AFI has prepared a draft position paper which when finalised and discussed with other organisations will be made available to national peak bodies, DPO’s and DRO’s to feed into the Federal Government’s consultation on these new rules. It will also inform our advice to the Australian and ACT Government.
Our position paper says there are significant risks that people will be worse off under the changes, that there will be trauma and harm induced by the assessment process and that people could be pushed off into other systems that do not exist, have not supported them well, are not yet funded or organised or are harmful (such as the health system, child protection, nursing homes). It points out a number of ACT risks and issues stemming from our thin markets and service environment.
While we cautiously welcome some changes like increased flexibility within NDIS budgets overall we say significant unintended consequences warrant a reconsideration of the package of changes.
We want YOUR views on this position paper between now and 27 February 2026.
If you want to make comment on this AFI position paper you can provide us with your comments by Friday 27 February 2026 – please email info@advocacyforinclusion.org with “NDIS assessment” in the subject line
AFI will then provide our feedback to the government and to national disability peak bodies asking that they consider the requirements of the ACT disability community in responding to the consultation.
You can also provide comments directly to the Federal Government consultation by 6 March 2026 – the consultation link is here. https://consultations.health.gov.au/ndis/nfp-public-consultation/